1964 RNC Presidential Nomination Acceptance Speech: Main Idea
1964 RNC Presidential Nomination Acceptance Speech: Main Idea
Barry Goldwater won the 1964 Republican presidential nomination fair and square. But that didn't mean that everyone was thrilled with his candidacy, or that he was thrilled with the peeps who weren't thrilled with his candidacy.
Following?
Okay, good. Anyway, this speech is all about defining true Republicanism on the one hand, and describing why anyone other than a true Republican was actually a freedom-hating tyrant on the other.
Goldwater's main message? At home, liberals and Democrats were trying to suck the freedom out of America by expanding the federal government and clamping down on individual rights. Abroad, communism and its socialist buddies were strangling the efforts of would-be free countries with their tyrannical, repressive ways. It was up to Republicans—real Republicans—to swoop in like a majestic bald eagle and save liberty from the clutches of freedom assassins like the Soviet Union and President Lyndon B. Johnson.
It didn't work out, of course. Barry lost the general election—badly. But he said from the beginning that his goal wasn't necessarily to win, it was to spread the message of conservatism.
In that case, Senator, mission accomplished.
Questions
- Barry never specifically names President Johnson or President Kennedy in this speech, though he talks loads of trash about their policies and their party. Why not use their names? It's not like no one could figure out who he was talking about.
- Which part of this speech do you agree with most? Which part do you agree with least? Why?
- Compare this speech to a speech made by your favorite politician or political candidate, current or old-school. What are the similarities? Differences?
- Design a superhero (or supervillain) based on Barry Goldwater. What's their supername? What are their superpowers? What is their supermission?
- Goldwater said he was more interested in spreading the message of conservatism than he was in winning the election. Do you think running for President even if you don't think you'll win is a good idea, even if you're just all about the message?
- Senator Goldwater was considered an outsider in his party. What other party outsiders have come in and shaken things up? How are those outsiders' experiences similar to and different from the Senator's?
- Goldwater had disdain for the religious right. Based on this speech, why do you think that was?
Chew On This
Private initiatives can't possibly substitute for a federally-funded safety net. Goldwater's ideas about limited government are so outdated, they should come with a horse and buggy.
Goldwater's ideas about individual freedom are sound principles that are still applicable today; we've just gotten lazy expecting the government to be our Daddy.
Quotes
Quote #1
Now, my fellow Americans, the tide has been running against freedom. Our people have followed false prophets. We must, and we shall, return to proven ways—not because they are old, but because they are true. We must, and we shall, set the tide running again in the cause of freedom. And this party, with its every word, every action, every breath, and every heartbeat, has but a single resolve, and that is freedom [...]. (11-14)
People often accuse the GOP of being a "status quo" party: Republicans are anti-change and want everything to stay old-school. Not the case, says Barry. The "old" ways (i.e., the Constitution) are proven and true friends of freedom, not like the liberal "false prophets" of government-provided security and welfare.
Quote #2
Now, we Americans understand freedom. We have earned it, we have lived for it, and we have died for it. This Nation and its people are freedom's model in a searching world. We can be freedom's missionaries in a doubting world. But, ladies and gentlemen, first we must renew freedom's mission in our own hearts and in our own homes. (15-19)
In other words, it's all well and good to talk about spreading freedom around the world like hummus on a Triscuit, but first, we gotta get right with freedom here in our own country.
Quote #3
Because of this administration we are tonight a world divided—we are a Nation becalmed. We have lost the brisk pace of diversity and the genius of individual creativity. We are plodding at a pace set by centralized planning, red tape, rules without responsibility, and regimentation without recourse. (28-30)
First thought: That's a lot of "r" words there in the last sentence. Second thought: When he puts it that way, the Johnson Administration sounds a lot like some drab communist regimes that existed at the time. Hmmm, wonder if that was intentional…
Quote #4
Today […] the task of preserving and enlarging freedom at home and safeguarding it from the forces of tyranny abroad is great enough to challenge all our resources and to require all our strength. Anyone who joins us in all sincerity, we welcome. Those who do not care for our cause, we don't expect to enter our ranks in any case (29-31).
The quest: freedom. It's gonna take everything we've got, folks. If you want to join our awesome freedom club, sweet. If not, we're not gonna waste our time on you. So there.
Quote #5
The beauty of the very system we Republicans are pledged to restore and revitalize, the beauty of this Federal system of ours is in its reconciliation of diversity with unity. We must not see malice in honest differences of opinion, and no matter how great, so long as they are not inconsistent with the pledges we have given to each other in and through the Constitution. (135-136)
Different opinions are good because diversity is good, as long as everyone agrees on the basics.